Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams said last night that he had no doubt that the family of murdered Belfast man Robert McCartney was being exploited for political gain.
He said he supported the family's campaign for justice 100%, and said he was sure that they would have their day in court.
He nevertheless expressed grave concern that the growing outrage over the brutal January 30th attack was being manipulated by those with an agenda.
"Let there be no doubt that factions of the media as well as political opponents of Sinn Fein have very opportunistically exploited this man's killing," he said in Washington.
Mr Adams said he had gone as far as he could, even giving names to the police ombudsman himself, to get the killers convicted, and he warned that exploitation of the case should not tear the focus away from justice.
"I couldn't pursue justice for victims of British brutality or those killed working for the British system if I wasn't just as resolute in defending the rights of this family," he said.
The West Belfast MP expressed amazement about the way in which the police investigation was being conducted, particularly after a number of key witnesses had made statements and given names. "I have asked why there has been no identity parade, why, when a key witness came forward on Monday, he was told there was nobody there to interview him, and why another key suspect was told the same thing," he said.
"I can't imagine another situation where, if there was a high profile murder like this one, a chief suspect would come forward and be told to come back another day."
Mr Adams, speaking after meeting US envoy to Northern Ireland Mitchell Reiss in Washington, said he believed Senator Ted Kennedy had been "ill-advised" in cancelling their meeting. He reiterated his disappointment at being barred from the traditional St Patrick's Day celebration at the White House, but said he did not believe it represented a step back for the peace process.
After meeting the McCartney family, Senator Kennedy said he had no doubt that Mr Adams wanted to see the IRA disbanded, but warned there was a "time to hold 'em and a time to fold 'em" and said that time was overdue.
Mr Adams insisted Sinn Fein was very clear that it had no intention of living in an Ireland in which there were armed groups. "The Ireland we want to see is one which is totally demilitarised and we will succeed in achieving the conditions in which the IRA will cease to be," he said.
Mr Adams admitted that was a daunting challenge, and would be easier said than done, but he was convinced that the process would reach a successful conclusion. Asked whether he believed time was running out to reach that point, Mr Adams said simply: "No."
PA